One of the important factors in achieving prosperity is through the unity of all key stakeholders. The collective effort of the private and public sectors will contribute to the development of the country. For our Negosyo Para sa Kapayapaan sa Sulu which we launched last year in Malacañan, we have gathered the support of many entrepreneurs and private organizations supporting the growth in the areas of Sulu.

From classrooms to houses, to mentoring and agriculture training programs, Negosyo para sa Kapayapaan sa Sulu has come a long way. The construction of the Kapatid villages with close to 200 houses are under way. These Kapatid villages are scattered in different municipalities of Sulu such as Jolo, Caluang, Maimbung, Pata, Patikul, Siasi, and Talipao. We also had groundbreaking activities for the classrooms recently.

Manny Osmena and his Hope Now Philippines Foundation committed to donate a total of six million pesos for the construction of a Kapatid village. With this amount, a total of 40 houses will be built in the municipality of Maimbung. Manny has been helping Go Negosyo for the past years and I am glad that he has seen this Sulu project a worthy cause.

Wilcon Depot’s William Belo, also one of the passionate Go Negosyo entrepreneurs, donated another six million pesos for another 40 houses in the municipality of Talipao. He has been very vocal in helping not just our micro and small entrepreneurs, but also those who need help the most. We are positive that despite the insurgencies in Sulu, through these efforts, we are building a safe and progressive environment for the communities.

Aside from providing a safe haven for the families of Sulu, Go Negosyo Kapatids are helping in creating an area conducive for learning for the children. During the initial visits of our team led by Ginggay Hontiveros, we have seen the heartbreaking situations of the schools in Sulu. Dilapidated rooftops, broken chairs, and worn-out blackboards are standard features of all the schools visited. I am saddened that this is what the students are experiencing in Sulu. Although, I am glad for their passion and willingness to learn despite circumstances.

Federation of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Mr. Domingo Yap signed an agreement with Go Negosyo for their donation of classrooms in Sulu.

Federation of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry donated more than 13 million pesos to support the construction of classrooms. Through this, we are providing the students with the right facility for learning. I hope that they will all study hard and pursue their dreams.

I would like to thank all the Big Brother Kapatids who have been supportive of this Go Negosyo initiative. This is the start of the change that we want for Sulu. Moving forward, we plan on helping more poverty-stricken areas in the country.

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President Duterte appointed a new governor for Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas which is Nestor Espenilla. Nesting, as friends in the business community calls him, is one of the passionate leaders in the government. He was the Deputy Governor of BSP during the leadership of Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. He always attends Go Negosyo events and this, I think, shows his fervent support in the micro and small entrepreneurs development. Go Negosyo entrepreneurs praise him for being an advocate of inclusive finance.

Dr. Aristotle Alip of CARD-MRI said, “Gov. Nesting is an excellent choice. He is an ardent advocate of inclusive finance.” Many Go Negosyo entrepreneurs are positive that he will be an asset to this country’s economy. I am sure that he will be a strong partner too in all the endeavors concerning our entrepreneurs.

We also would like to thank Gov. Tetangco for his strong support to Go Negosyo all these years. He has been a champion of entrepreneurship as well.

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ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines is also hosting the ASEAN Business Awards (ABA) 2017 on October 6, 2017 in Okada Manila. ASEAN Business Awards is launched to give recognition to enterprises that have contributed to the growth and prosperity of the ASEAN Economy. Aside from the recognition, ABA is created to serve as platform to spread information concerning the ASEAN Economic Community.

We invite ASEAN companies to join the ABA 2017. Applications are now open! For more information, you may visit www.aba2017.com